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But even e had been a supreme act of stupidity Cronus was free because I’d walked into his cavern when Persephone had specifically told e she’d needed to get Henry to open the gate

"Think," said James "Why didn’t Cronus kill you then?"

"Because he didn’t know me Because I--"

"Because you were kind to hi our best to keep hiate"

"Yes," said James "And he stopped because he trusted you"

"Look where that’s gotten us," I said disdainfully

"Yes Look where your stubbornness and refusal to give up got us We have a fighting chance now It wasn’t the e iined, but Calliope would’ve discovered a way to free Cronus eventually She had damn near close to eternity, just like the rest of us"

I drew my knees to my chest "What happens if Cronus wipes out all of humanity and you all lose your purposes?"

James hesitated, and fear sparked between us He drew me closer "I don’t know"

"Maybe you won’t fade," I said "Ito be love and travel andMaybe--"

"Kate" James’s voice rose above the crash of the ocean, and I fell silent "Don’t worry about the worst-case scenario Come up with a way towhat you do best and fight for the people you love"

He stood, and I rose with hi," I said, and despite everything, he gave rin

"On the contrary, you’re a diahed, half choked "And you’re a smelly block of cheese Take me back before the sun sets corasp firht No et, you won’t break down and let Cronus and Calliope win"